Futch 'plays big,' awaits offers

Inside Recruiting

It's never easy to make a lasting impression on a football field when you're routinely giving up a half-foot and at least 30 pounds to every player you compete against — unless you're Hampton High's Dion Futch.

At just 5-foot-7 and 155 pounds, if Futch weren't so active, it might be difficult to even notice him on the field. As it stands, he plays every position that gives him a chance to touch the ball. This season, he has played safety, kickoff and punt returner, wide receiver, running back, holder, quarterback in Hampton's version of the "wildcat" offense (coach Mike Smith calls it the "crabcake"), holder for field goals and extra points and even a little linebacker.

Despite his versatility, Futch is having a hard time garnering much attention from college recruiters, and that all goes back to his diminutive stature. He doesn't have any scholarship offers and hasn't heard from any college coaches this fall. That's why Futch has played all season with a two-word motto: Play big.

"I'm just going to try to play big," Futch said. "I think (college) coaches are going to want to see me play big because I'm not that big myself."

He has done nothing short of that this season.

Coming in to Friday night's 20-19 overtime win against Bethel, he had 16 carries for 125 yards (7.8 yards per carry). He has 21 receptions for 463 yards (22 yards per catch). He has scored 12 touchdowns in five ways: four receiving, three via punt returns, two on kickoff returns, two rushing and one on an interception return.

"He's a great player," Smith said. "We try to get him anywhere we can get the ball in his hands. He's a stout little kid. He's got good vision. He's got good speed. He's got good hands, but his vision is the best thing. He's a fearless little guy. Right now, the only place we haven't put him is offensive line, and he could probably do a decent job up there."

Though he won't intimidate many players at first glance, Futch may stack up pound-for-pound as one of the most physically gifted players in the Peninsula District. He has been clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.5 seconds. He maxes out in the bench press at 250 pounds.

Futch sprained his left ankle early in the first quarter against Bethel when his ankle was fallen on in the middle of a pile. He returned in overtime, but only to serve as the holder on what ended up being Matt Cass' decisive extra point.

Futch said Saturday his ankle was feeling much better. He was walking around without crutches and with only a slight limp. He expects to play next weekend against Phoebus.

Toughness never has been an issue for Futch. He has played hockey since he was 6 years old — roller hockey between the ages of 6 and 10, and ice hockey since he was 10. Now, he plays center for the Peninsula Prowl in an area travel "A" league.

"It's really fun," said Futch, who carries a 3.1 grade-point average and is in the International Baccalaureate program. "Every practice and every game is very exciting."

He seems to have a knack for generating excitement. At Liberty University's football camp this summer, he took away the best-camper award after showing his skills at wide receiver and defensive back. He also participated in camps at Virginia, James Madison and Old Dominion.

Smith said Futch compares favorably to other productive smaller players who played for Hampton, including Almondo Curry and Mouse Jennings, but the player Futch most reminds Smith of is former Hampton and U.Va. quarterback Marques Hagans.

"He's a little faster than Marques," said Smith, who added he has used Futch as a decoy at times this season when he has been double-teamed. "He just can't throw the ball like Marques did."

Futch said Liberty's coaches told him at the summer camp they'd watch him in Hampton's first few games, and if they didn't offer him a partial or full scholarship, they'd invite him as a recruited walk-on. He said JMU's coaches also told him they'd be in touch with him. He's still waiting.

"I haven't talked to any coaches since the season started," Futch said. "It's a little frustrating that some schools said they were going to contact me and they didn't. I'm just waiting, and I'm going to continue playing as hard as I have been. Some things should come if I do well."

Norm Wood can be reached at 247-4642 or by e-mail at nwood@dailypress.com. For more recruiting news, go to dailypress.com/recruiting.